Expandable container

ABSTRACT

A container, especially intended for use as a workroom, with an adjustable volume includes a base container with a floor panel and a roof panel, and at least one box-shaped expansion element that can be extended from the base container. The expansion element includes a floor panel, a roof panel, a side that is open to the base container, a front panel that is opposite the open side, and two side panels. The container further includes a device with which a box-shaped expansion element can be lowered, such that, once the expansion element has been extended, the floor panels of the expansion element and the base container are at the same height, and with which an expansion element can be raised such that, once the expansion element has been lowered, it can be reinserted into the base container. The roof panel of the box-shaped expansion element is designed to fold along a horizontal axis on the upper edge of the front panel of the expansion element.

This application claims the priority of German application 103 44 180.8,filed Sep. 24, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference into the present application.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an expandable container, especially foruse as a workroom, with a adjustable vole.

One container of this type is known, e.g., from European publication EP0 682 156 B1. That container comprises a base container and one or moreexpansion elements for expanding the made space, which can be drawn outor extended from the container. The expansion elements are box-shapedand closed on all sides—with the exception of the open side that facesthe bass container. In order to achieve a flat floor inside thecontainer when the expansion elements are extended, a lowering orhoisting device is provided, with which the expansion elements can belowered such that, after they have been lowered, the floors of the basecontainer and the expansion element(s) are at the same height.

The gaps in the base container that are created by the extension andlowering (due to the panel thicknesses of the floor and roof elements ofthe expansion elements) must be closed off by means of flaps andsuitable seals,

Long seals create problems in terms of the use of expandable containers,especially when requirements for ABC seal tightness and HF shielding areinvolved.

In embodiments in which two expansion elements are used, the dimensionsof the two expansion elements must be selected to maximize the floorspace of the workroom such that one expansion element can be insertedinto the other expansion element. Since, for logistical reasons (i.e.truck transport, air transport capability) the containers ordinarily maynot significantly eyed a height of 8′ (2,440 mm), the headroom (insideheight), especially in the smaller of the two expansion elements, isrelatively low (ca. 190 cm or less). In workrooms that are to be used bypeople standing upright, or in which people will be moving about a greatdeal, this is considered too low.

It is thus an object of the invention to improve upon an expandablecontainer of the type described above such that the headroom (insideheight) in the working area and the traffic area is improved withoutnegatively altering the advantageous properties of these containers.

This object is attained by way of an adjustable volume containerincluding a base container with a floor panel and a roof panel, and abox-shaped expansion element that can be extended from the basecontainer, and which includes a floor panel, a roof panel, an open sidethat is open to the base container, a front panel that is opposite theopen side, and two side panels. The container also has a device withwhich the box-shaped expansion element can be lowered such that, oncethe expansion element has been extended, the floor panel of theexpansion element and the base container are at the same height, andwith which the expansion element can be Fed such that, once theexpansion element has been lowered, it can be reverted into the basecontainer. The roof panel of the box-shaped expansion element isdesigned such that it can be folded along a horizontal axis on an upperedge of the front panel of the expansion element. Advantageousembodiments of the invention are the object of further claim.

According to the invention, the roof panel of a box-shaped expansionelement is designed such that it can be folded about a horizontal alason the upper edge of the front panel of the expansion element. When theexpansion element has been extended, the roof panel can be folded upwardalong this axis and fastened to the base container. This results in anenlarged inside height in the main working and traffic areas of thecontainer, so that concentrated work and movement are enabled withoutspecial restrictions, even for tall adults.

Advantageously, supplementary surface elements are provided, with whichthe gaps or holes between the side panels and the roof panel of abox-shaped expansion element that are created by the folding up of theroof panel can be closed off. In this manner, an inside space that iscompletely sealed off from the outside is created. As will be shown indetail below, this space can be easily sealed so that requirements forABC seal tightness and HF shielding can be properly fulfilled,

To this end, the folding roof panels are attached via sealing elementsto the adjacent surface elements of the container.

A process of enlarging main working and traffic areas of a container isalso claimed.

The following advantages in particular are associated with theinvention:

-   -   Expanded headroom (inside height);    -   Simple sealing, short sealing elements;    -   Improved runoff of rain and snow on the outer roof surfaces of        the expansion elements;    -   Improved cleaning and clearing of the outer roof surfaces of the        expansion elements.

These advantages of the invention are disclosed in the followdescription of a concrete exemplary embodiment, with reference to thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-section of a container according to theinvention with unextended expansion elements;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section of a container according to theinvention with a partially extended first expansion element;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-section of a container according to theinvention with a fully extended and lowered first expansion element;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-section with two fully extended and loweredexpansion elements;

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are vertical cross-sections along the lines A-A andB-B in FIG. 4, respectively, illustrating the supplementary surfaceelements designed to seal the container along the roof panel of anexpansion element; and

FIGS. 6 a-6 c show alternative exemplary embodiments for thesupplementary surface elements and for the sealing of the containeralong the roof panel of an expansion element (sections along the linesA-A and B-B in FIG. 4).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 4 show the individual steps in the assembly of anexpandable container as specified in the invention, with two expansionelements. In FIG. 1, the initial stage (transport stage) is represented.The box-shaped base container 1 contains the two expansion elements 10,20, also box-shaped The expansion element 20 is stowed inside thesomewhat larger (in terms of length and height) expansion element 10.Also recognizable in this drawing are the respective bas panels 15, 25and front panels 16, 26 of the two expansion elements 10, 20, along withtheir side panels 17, 27, Each of the roof panels 18, 28 of theexpansion elements is seated displaceably (hinge 99) above at the frontpanels 16, 26, and, in the initial stage (transport stage), arepositioned and fastened horizontally. The base container 1 has a basepanel 2 and a roof panel 3.

In FIG. 2, the smaller expansion element 20 has already been partiallyextended. Typically, guide rails 50, which can also be extended from thebase container 1, are used to extend the elements. The expansion element20 is moved horizontally by means of rollers 52, which roll along theguide rails 50. The length of the mount, to the underside of which therollers 52 are attached, is dimensioned such that the base panel 25 ofthe expansion element will remain horizontal during the extensionprocess. The roof element 28 remains horizontal during the extensionprocess.

In FIG. 3, the smaller expansion element 20 has been completely extendedand then, once it has reached the end of the guide rails 50, has beenlowered (angled steps 54 and 55 at the end of the rail 50 or at the basepanel 2 of the base container 1, as is known, e.g., from EuropeanPublication EP 0 682 156 B1), so that now the base panel 25 of theexpansion element 20 is at the same height as the base panel 2 of thebase container 1. The roof elements 16, 28 are raised around the his ofrotation 99 on the upper edge of the front panel 16, 26, and areinterlocked with the base container 1. For improved handling, the roofelements can be relieved by means of lifting devices or by spring-loadedelements that compensate for the dead weight.

It is noted that various embodiments of mechanisms for lowering anexpansion element em known to those skilled in the art. As analternative to the lowering of the expansion elements by means of angledsteps 55 shown here, the guide rails, for example, can also be designedas lift rails (see, e.g., European publication EP 0 760 040 B1). To thisend the guide rail is divided into two parallel partial rails positionedone above the other, wherein the one peal rail i be rued and loweredrelative to the other, e.g. by means of a hydraulic cylinder.

FIG. 4 shows the situation in which both expansion elements 10, 20 havebeen fully extended and lowers. Examples of dimensions for the minimumheadroom in containers that are 20′ high (outside) in the two expansionelements are indicated for each When the expansion elements 10, 20 arelowered, the folding roof panels 18, 28 that form the roof of theexpansion elements 10, 20 end up at a downward slope toward the outside.In this, in principle, the slope of the smaller expansion element 20 issomewhat greater. Thus it is ensured especially that rainwater will bedirected away from the seals at the junction between the base containerand the expansion element.

The sectional drawings in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, which show views along thelines A-A and B-B in FIG. 4, illustrate in detail the supplementarysurface elements 19, 29 (in this embodiment desired to be trapezoidal)that are arranged perpendicular to the roof elements or panels 18, 29.With these, the open to the side panels 17, 27, formed when the roofelements 18, 28 are folded up, are closed off. In the embodiment shownin FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, the supplementary surface elements 19, 29 aredesigned to be foldable. They can be rotated around a horizontal s ofrotation 79, 89 on the upper edge of a side seduce 17, 27, and arelocked against the front panels 16, 26 and the roof panels 18, 28 viafriction seals.

The roof panels 18, 28 can be sealed towards the base container 1 by amovable friction seal (not shown here). The joint area between the front17 and the roof panels; 18, 28 can also be permanently sealed along thetact length by means of a permanently mounted seal made of flexiblematerial.

FIGS. 6 a-6 c show alternative exemplary embodiment for thesupplementary surface elements and their seals. Each of these is asectional view lines A-A and B-B in FIG. 4. In these embodiments, thesupplementary surface elements are permanently attached to the roofpanels 18, 28. They can be to be single-shell (FIG. 6 a) or dual-shell(FIG. 6 b).

The seals between the side panels 17, 27 and the surface elements thatare permanently attached to the roof elements 18, 28 can be createdusing brush friction seals 61, 62.

Alternatively, permanently attached seals 63 made of flexible materialed tight when folded up, forming a fold in the lowered state/transportstate) used, as is shown in FIGS. 6 ci and 6 cii. A sealing cushion mayalso be used.

The examples represented in the drawings all show embodiments havingexactly two expansion elements. Of course, embodiments having one ormore expansion elements are also possible. The extension process ad tielowering process would then be analogous to the sequences for theindividual expansion elements 10, 20.

The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate theinvention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of thedisclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of theinvention may occur to persons skilled in the art, he invention shouldbe construed to include everything within the scope of the appendedclaims and equivalents thereof.

1. A container with adjustable volume, comprising: a base container witha floor panel and a roof panel, a box-shaped expansion element that canbe extended from the base container, and which includes a floor panel, afront panel, and two side panels in permanently fixed positions relativeto each other, an open side opposite the front panel, and a roof panel,and a device with which the box-shaped expansion element can be loweredsuch that, during expansion, the floor panel remains horizontal and suchthat, once the expansion element has been extended, the floor panel ofthe expansion element and the base container are at the same height, andwith which the expansion element can be raised such that, once theexpansion element has been lowered, it can be reinserted into the basecontainer, wherein the roof panel of the box-shaped expansion element isdesigned such that it can be folded along a horizontal axis on an upperedge of the front panel of the expansion element.
 2. The containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the box-shaped expansion element is one ofprecisely two box-shaped expansion elements that can be extended inopposite directions out of the base container, and wherein thedimensions of the expansion elements are selected such that oneexpansion element can be inserted into the other expansion element. 3.The container according to claim 1, wherein the roof panel is attachedby sealing elements to form a seal against adjacent surface elements ofthe container.
 4. The container according to claim 1, and furthercomprising supplementary surface elements with which gaps between theside panels and the roof panel of the box-shaped expansion element,formed when the roof panel is folded up, can be closed off so that aninside space that is completely closed off from the outside is formed.5. The container according to claim 4, wherein the supplementary surfaceelements are arranged such that they can be folded along an upper edgeof at least one of the side panels.
 6. The container according to claim5, wherein friction seals are provided as sealing elements between thesupplementary surface elements and the roof panel or the front panel. 7.The container according to claim 6, wherein each of the supplementarysurface elements is respectively disposed on one side of or on oppositesides of said at least one of the side panels.
 8. The containeraccording to claim 5, wherein each of the supplementary surface elementsis respectively disposed on one side of or on opposite sides of said atleast one of the side panels.
 9. The container according to claim 4,wherein the supplementary surface elements are arranged rigidly on theroof panel.
 10. The container according to claim 9, wherein brush sealsor friction seals are provided as sealing elements between thesupplementary surface elements and the side panels.
 11. The containeraccording to claim 10, wherein each of the supplementary surfaceelements is respectively disposed on one side of or on opposite sides ofat least one of the side panels.
 12. The container according to claim 9,wherein permanently attached seals made of a flexible material are usedas sealing elements between the supplementary surface element and theside panels.
 13. The container according to claim 12, wherein at leastone the permanently attached seals is stretched tightly when the roofpanel is folded up and forms a fold when the roof panel is folded downor is a sealing cushion.
 14. The container according to claim 13,wherein each of the supplementary surface elements is respectivelydisposed on one side of or on opposite sides of at least one of the sidepanels.
 15. The container according to claim 12, wherein each of thesupplementary surface elements is respectively disposed on one side ofor on opposite sides of at least one of the side panels.
 16. Thecontainer according to claim 9, wherein each of the supplementarysurface elements is respectively disposed on one side of or on oppositesides of at least one of the side panels.
 17. The container according toclaim 4, wherein each of the supplementary surface elements isrespectively disposed on or on opposite sides of at least one of theside panels.
 18. The container according to claim 1, wherein frictionseals are provided as sealing elements between the roof panel and thebase container.
 19. The container according to claim 1, whereinpermanently attached seals made of a flexible material are provided assealing elements between the roof panel and the front panel.
 20. Thecontainer according to claim 1, wherein the container is used as aworkroom.
 21. A process of enlarging main working and traffic areas of acontainer with adjustable volume comprising: providing a base containerwith a floor panel and a roof panel, providing a box-shaped expansionelement that can be extended from the base container and which includesa floor panel, a front panel, two side panels, all in permanently fixedpositions relative to each other, as well as an open side opposite thefront panel, and a roof panel, and providing a device with which thebox-shaped expansion element can be lowered such that the floor panelremains horizontal once the expansion element has been extended, withthe floor panels of the expansion element and the base container at thesame height, and folding the roof panel of the box-shaped expansionelement along a horizontal axis on an upper edge of the front panel ofthe expansion element so that the expansion element can be reinsertedinto the base container.